Episode Overview
What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever received? Chances are, it wasn’t something wrapped in a box. In this episode, Cheryl and Brittany dive into the gift of travel—not just as a vacation, but as a life-changing experience that shapes who we are.

From standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon or climbing the pyramids of Teotihuacan, to multi-generational trips and student exchanges that transform classrooms into the real world, this conversation is all about why experiences matter more than things—and how travel creates memories that last a lifetime.

You’ll also hear how to “gift” travel in ways big and small, from local staycations and one-tank road trips to bucket-list adventures and multi-gen journeys that bring families closer together.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why experiences outlast material gifts (yes, there’s actual neuroplasticity involved!)
• How travel reshapes your brain, your worldview, and your sense of what’s possible
• The difference between simply “going on a trip” and truly experiencing a destination
• Core memories:
  • Brittany’s first trip to the Grand Canyon and that “wow, we’re really here” feeling
  • Cheryl’s early travels to Teotihuacan, Chichén Itzá, and Europe as a high school grad
  • Family trips to Disney, the beach, and a multi-gen summer getaway that three generations still talk about
• Why experiential learning matters for students (and how travel brought history to life)
• How homestays and cultural immersion changed everything for Cheryl’s student groups
• The shift from “stuff” to experience-based gifting—and why people are craving meaning over more things
• Practical ways to gift travel: staycations, road trips, train journeys, spa days, cooking classes, and more
• Multi-generational travel: how to create bonding experiences that kids and grandparents will never forget
• Real talk about travel compatibility: what happens when your travel styles clash
• Tips for planning meaningful travel gifts with the help of a travel advisor

Who This Episode Is For:

• Families who want to create core memories instead of clutter
• Grandparents, parents, and caregivers looking for meaningful gifts for kids or grandkids
• Friends who are “over” swapping candles and sweaters and want to gift shared adventures instead
• Teachers and educators curious about experiential learning and student travel
• Anyone who’s ever felt changed by a trip—and wants to bring that magic into their gift-giving

Resources & Ideas Mentioned:

• Homestay programs and cultural exchanges for students
• Multi-generational family trips and reunions
• Staycations in your own city or nearby destinations
• One-tank road trips for weekend getaways
• Train journeys and scenic rail routes
• Cooking classes, paint-and-sip nights, wine country getaways, spa days, and more

Ready to Gift Travel?
If this episode has you thinking about gifting an experience instead of another “thing,” I’d love to help you plan it. From staycations to European adventures, I work with families, couples, and groups to craft trips that are meaningful, memorable, and aligned with your budget.

👉 Learn more or start planning:https://calendly.com/cheryl-nostalgictravelco/30min

Stay Connected

• 💻 Website: https://nostalgictravelco.com/
• 🎧 Subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint on your favorite podcast app
• 📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgicTravelCo
• 📩 Join my email list for travel tips & inspiration: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/Q1QBelP

If this episode inspired you, share it with someone you’d love to travel with.